Tensions Persist in Lebanon Post-Ceasefire: A Need for Negotiation on Hezbollah’s Disarmament

The ceasefire ending hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel in November 2024 has not resolved the underlying tensions in Lebanon. Discussions about disarming Hezbollah have intensified, and while over a million displaced Lebanese have returned home, tensions remain. Lebanon’s political leaders must negotiate disarmament and foster regional stability with international support. The stability of the ceasefire is crucial for post-war reconstruction and peace.

In November 2024, a ceasefire concluded 14 months of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, which began the previous October, following Hamas’s attacks on Israel. Still, the tensions resulting from this conflict persist within Lebanon. Israel inflicted significant damage on Hezbollah, emboldening its political adversaries, who are reinvigorating discussions about disarming Hezbollah, a condition stipulated by the ceasefire. Approximately one million displaced Lebanese have returned to their homes, yet underlying tensions may resurface if the ceasefire falters. Therefore, Lebanon’s leadership should prioritize negotiating Hezbollah’s disarmament rather than pursuing confrontation. Moreover, external actors must support the implementation of the ceasefire and bolster the Lebanese armed forces, avoiding interference in domestic politics.

In summary, while the ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel has brought a temporary reprieve to Lebanon, significant tensions remain. The need for negotiation regarding Hezbollah’s disarmament is paramount, as is the need for international support for the Lebanese armed forces. With a new government in place, Lebanon has a chance to navigate these challenges carefully and work towards stability and reconstruction. Non-confrontational approaches will likely yield better outcomes than aggressive strategies aimed at disarming Hezbollah directly.

Original Source: reliefweb.int